“The toughest negotiations I have ever seen”: Biden on the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas
US President Joe Biden announced on Wednesday that A Ceasefire and hostage agreement It was reached between Israel and Hamas, ending more than 15 months of conflict, calling it the “toughest negotiation” he had ever seen. The agreement, which was organized in three phases, includes a complete ceasefire, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, and the release of hostages, including Americans, in the first phase.
The American President said in his statements: “It is a very good evening because finally, I can announce a ceasefire and a hostage agreement has been reached between Israel and Hamas. More than 15 months of terror for the hostages and their families, and the Israeli people, and more than 15 months of suffering that they are experiencing.” The innocent people of Gaza, the fighting in Gaza will stop and the hostages will soon return to their homes and families.”
Biden described the negotiations as among the most difficult he had witnessed, and attributed the success of the deal to the pressure exerted by Israel on Hamas with American support.
“Those who have followed the negotiations can attest that the path to this deal has not been easy. I have worked in foreign policy for decades. This is one of the most difficult negotiations I have ever experienced. I have reached this point because Israel has done so, with the support of the United States.” United Nations, organizing a 20-nation coalition to counter attacks by the Houthis, including their missile attacks on Israel. At the G20 summit in Delhi in September 2023, I rallied key countries behind a vision for an economic vector from India. Middle East to Europe, this vision can now become a reality.
Three stages of the deal
Biden said that the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas will be implemented in three stages.
The first phase of the deal lasts six weeks and includes a complete ceasefire, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from populated areas in Gaza, and the release of hostages held by Hamas, including women, the elderly and the wounded. Israel will also release hundreds of Palestinian prisoners during this phase.
The second phase will include negotiations to reach a permanent end to the war, with the release of the remaining living hostages and the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza. If the negotiations take more than six weeks, the ceasefire will continue as long as the negotiations continue.
“When the second phase begins, there will be an exchange for the release of the remaining living hostages, including male soldiers, all remaining Israeli forces will be withdrawn from Gaza and the temporary ceasefire will become permanent,” Biden said.
In the third phase, the remains of any killed hostages will be returned to their families, and a major reconstruction plan will begin in Gaza.
“Finally, the third phase – any final remains of the hostages who were killed will be returned to their families and a major reconstruction plan will begin in Gaza,” he added.
According to the Gaza Ministry of Health, Israeli military operations in Gaza have killed at least 46,707 Palestinians and injured 110,265 since October 7, 2023. In Israel, at least 1,139 people were killed during Hamas-led attacks that day, and more Of the 200 captured.
